T.M. Dilshan gains Australian citizenship

25 February 2024 12:35 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 54 Bookmark

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Australia, Feb 25 (Daily Mirror) - Former Sri Lankan cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan has obtained Australian citizenship following a citizenship ceremony, Australian MP Jason Wood said.

"Dilshan is regarded as the best Sri Lankan player in run-chases in ODI history. He also holds the record for being the top run scorer in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup with 500 runs and scored a century against England in the semi-final. Additionally, he was part of the Sri Lankan team that won the 2014 ICC World Twenty20," the MP posted on social media.

As a new Aussie and local resident, the MP said that he hopes Dilshan will join a local team and continue to share his talents with the community.

"It was great to hear that his daughter Resandi is following in her father’s footsteps," he added.

Comments - 54

B P Sunday, 25 February 2024 01:16 PM

After getting all honours as a Sri Lankan, they use those to migrate to another country and boast about it. Common Sri Lanka!

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DJ Sunday, 25 February 2024 04:18 PM

Absolutely

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Be Fair Sunday, 25 February 2024 07:46 PM

You are insane to think like this. He has done the best for his family. For sure it's sad he has left his birth country.

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shanaka Monday, 26 February 2024 05:50 AM

of course people will migrate when idiots like you keep voting for the same bunch of crooks, he does as he wishes a brighter safer future for his kid and family, I'm sure given the opportunity you will pack up and leave too unless you're on of those pocketing from contracts keep switching sides for personal gain

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Rajiv De Silva Tuesday, 27 February 2024 09:49 AM

Did not he support the famous wada karan viruwa some time back. LOL

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Mahesh Sunday, 25 February 2024 01:35 PM

Sri Lanka is loosing all talented people in all professions. We need to act quickly otherwise the Indians and Chinese will be running all sectors. The first step should start with politicians who are classified as pensioners need to hand back the power to the younger generation

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Mandayan Sunday, 25 February 2024 05:53 PM

The protest and Gota’s removal and bankruptcy seen many talented people leave the country. The IT sector in Sri Lanka is now filled by Indians and Bangladeshis also eying on this. The Jaffna where rich diaspora spends holiday are now targeted by restaurants run by Indians who are with proper visas! Government should encourage the Northern young men to become entrepreneurs than leaving the country. They pay money to bogus agencies to leave the country.

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RR Sunday, 25 February 2024 01:45 PM

A GREAT LOSS SLC

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Roberta Flack Sunday, 25 February 2024 01:56 PM

A one time staunch Rajapakse supporter he left us to face the music in mother lanka and literally “hooked it”. No pun intended.

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High hopes Sunday, 25 February 2024 07:18 PM

Like many he too must have been disappointed after backing the Rajapakse's with high hopes that they will usher in a new era for SL. Had you been in his shoes what do you think you would have done?

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Jeanne Monday, 26 February 2024 02:06 AM

@High Hopes : What a load of rubbish. What "shoes" are you talking about? People like him earning that kind of money don't need to leave the country. Roberta is right. He fled the country more like it.

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Mahila Monday, 26 February 2024 02:52 AM

When 'The Messiah", relishes asking he accolades, whether there isn't anyone else within the 20 million population to replace 'Thambiya' and 'Marakalaya' as the Opening Batsman of SL Cricket team, which is racially tainted, you expect people to wait back in SL and receive INSULTS instead of ACCOLADES of Ungrateful People and rulers they sovereign people of Sri Lanka, elect with thumping Majority!! There is NO reason to think, they are welcome to stay back and serve the Country, and rulers, who are despicable!!!?? Small, senile Brains!!!???

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Rishan Sunday, 25 February 2024 02:46 PM

So what is the important for sri Lankan readers..... He gained the citizenship for his family welfare ....

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Opportunists or hypocrites or both Sunday, 25 February 2024 07:20 PM

Exactly. Almost every reader would have done the same if the opportunity is presented now, despite commenting here negatively.

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roni Sunday, 25 February 2024 02:59 PM

He should have and may be having citizenship of Zimbabwe too. Many countries would want to give him Citizenship that's for sure.

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True all rounder Sunday, 25 February 2024 07:27 PM

True. Can anyone identify a true all rounder other than Dilshan anywhere in the world. He was an excellent fielder, great batsman, more than average bowler and a reasonably good wicket keeper. I have not known any other international cricketer performing all these disciplines. Yes, only Dilshan. Sir Garfield Sobers? Sir Ian Botham? Anyone else?

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Faketriotic Sunday, 25 February 2024 03:13 PM

Very patriotic... now he has to denounce the country that gave him everything.. leading by example for for the current youth to look up to..

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Mahila Monday, 26 February 2024 08:37 PM

"now he has to denounce the country that gave him everything.. leading by example for for the current youth to look up to.." YES, including the casting of 'Racially Tainted Insults'!!?? Please remember, HIS Performance, Experience and Skill which is his own, hard work, Training and Self-development, None else could replicate!! for past 10 years??

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Chris Sunday, 25 February 2024 03:16 PM

He was a Muslim then became a Buddhist. Was a Sri Lankan and now an Australian. Surely an opportunistic man.

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Opprtunistic traitors Sunday, 25 February 2024 08:34 PM

@Chris, How did your ancestors here became Christians after colonial invasion just 150 years ago? Did you give a minute? Opportunistic traitors only.

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ILovSriLanka Sunday, 25 February 2024 09:28 PM

You nailed it Mr. Chris.. Good riddance from bad rubbish

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Jeanne Monday, 26 February 2024 02:12 AM

@Opportunistic traitors: Get over your Colonial hangup my friend. You fools speak about invasion. Maybe you should study the history of this country right back to the murderous kings that ruled us back then. Fast forward to 1971 and the Sinhalese murdered their own and again in 1983 and then again in 1991. This is who we are. Don't blame colonial rule and the "white" man for all your failings and shortcomings.

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Terrence K Sunday, 25 February 2024 03:50 PM

We wish him well in his new life in Australia. Many have gone to Australia and other countries because although Sri Lanka is a beautiful country the legislators of this country are full of corruption and the law does not apply to all alike as the powerful and wealthy are able to manipulate the law for their own benefit. Also most of the people have got used to telling lies like a virus so how can a country prosper. We need a complete system change!!!!!!!!!

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Wagner Sunday, 25 February 2024 04:20 PM

Don't worry Dilhan there are many others who will be joining you.Good luck and all the best

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pantha kumaran Sunday, 25 February 2024 04:40 PM

This is not the last either. As a nation we are losing on a daily basis lot of talented people. It is very sad. the blame should go to our politicians who are responsible to this situation. Will or politicians learn???

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Kumara Ilangasinghe Sunday, 25 February 2024 04:56 PM

Dilshan supported the Rajapakses in a big way and now the Rat has deserted the bankrupt country. Shame on you.

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DPerera Sunday, 25 February 2024 05:05 PM

Ignorant guys, the news item doesn't say he has renounced his Sri Lankan citizenship. Most likely he will continue to be a Sri Lankan citizen

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Smh Sunday, 25 February 2024 05:09 PM

All the best! May you prosper in Australia! To the haters, it is his choice and his life. All these people who have suddenly become patriotic who think Dilshan owes it to Sri Lanka to forever be a SL citizen are dillusional. You'll comment here against the country and corruption of SL cricket all the time but when a cricketer chooses to move on in life you'll condemn him. Get a life.

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Concerned Citizen Sunday, 25 February 2024 05:43 PM

The funny thing is the largest section of migrants are the ones who strongly supported the Rajapaksa regime to come to power which led to the current situation. A vast majority of people who did not support the Rajapaksas are still staying in the country, paying their taxes and helping to rebuild the country . These are the modern day heroes and not the cowards who migrated during the crisis !

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Uber world Sunday, 25 February 2024 06:26 PM

Just a any other person to Australia

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Indika Mahawaduge Sunday, 25 February 2024 06:58 PM

I have seen some people celebrating when they obtain citizenship from another country while belittling their own motherland. What a shame!

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Ruwan Gamage Sunday, 25 February 2024 07:38 PM

A Bank advertised his hotel at Strafford Avenue for sale for default of millions of rupees.

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Jamis Sunday, 25 February 2024 07:55 PM

It's interesting to observe how supporters of Rajapaksa are quick to change their allegiance and jump ship.

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Sambo Sunday, 25 February 2024 08:20 PM

We also would like to inform the Australian government that some Sri lankans have stolen money from the government and vanished to Australia to avoid arrest and they should be sent back to stand train in the country.

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Kd Sunday, 25 February 2024 08:25 PM

Relax he is a dual citizen. Did more for Sri Lanka than most of us. He will continue to be Sri Lankan...and Australian and a citizen of Planet Earth

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Jeanne Monday, 26 February 2024 02:15 AM

@Kd : What a joke! Pick a lane, brother. You are either an Australian "citizen" or a Sri Lankan "citizen". You can't have it both ways. This alone proves what an opportunistic human being he is - ready to jump ship if things don't go well in Australia.

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Nuwan Sunday, 25 February 2024 08:32 PM

Another MR stooge has jumped off a sinking ship.

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Saman Rathnayake Monday, 26 February 2024 08:13 AM

Whether he is MR stooge or not he has done lot to the country.As a citizen of a democratic country you can support any politician as he wish.Hence mind your own business and do something for the betterment of the country.

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wickrama wijayasiri Sunday, 25 February 2024 08:49 PM

This is no achievement to report or gloat about.

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S.H.Moulana Sunday, 25 February 2024 09:14 PM

Can we see him playing for Australia?

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Gt Monday, 26 February 2024 12:26 AM

Yeah coz Australia treats sri lankans well right???? What about the refugees who are treated like animals?

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Smart Crickter Monday, 26 February 2024 01:24 AM

This guy is very smart, first he left islam for the sake of himself and family and now he got australian citizenship as a backup because he knows the future of corrupted sri lanka.

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Jude Monday, 26 February 2024 01:49 AM

A very smart cricketer with his limited talent he became an Star player!! The only cricketer with a cricket stroke after his name "DilScoop" mind you 145 Visa Free Countries for Australian Passport Holders, Now that's very handy, yeah.

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Nanda Monday, 26 February 2024 04:59 AM

Sri Lankan never get understand what India is doing to our beautiful country. These days our political foolish selling very important assets to India. I am telling you after they start to control the Airports,Indian will drop from the sky too.?IT sector will go...Then as you do these days ,make YouTube and Tiktok showing this is Sri Lanka, we are Sri lankan and add Hindi song and dance Amuka Dumuka. There won't be any other Anagarika Dharmapala or Migettuwaththee Gunanandhala in this country ?

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YLG Monday, 26 February 2024 05:36 AM

Wonder what the reason was? He has all the money in the world. No reason to migrate. Unless he's worried about a new government coming in.

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Waco Monday, 26 February 2024 05:47 AM

There are better players in Australia, hence he will not have a chance of playing for Australia.

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VJ Monday, 26 February 2024 07:45 AM

We ought to be happy for him and his family. He did his best for the country of his birth. He has every right to pursue his future and that of his family anywhere in the world. He was a cricketer like no other, he invented a cricketing shot which has his name attached to it. Let’s wish him well.

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Jude Monday, 26 February 2024 08:14 AM

Dilshan did a yeoman service to SL team!! Kudos to him. All the very best for future endeavors!! I don't care about his affiliations nor his personal choices, period.

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Amara Monday, 26 February 2024 10:02 AM

To be an Australian by representing country, its just another visa category.

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Mohamed Adham Monday, 26 February 2024 11:40 AM

He has done his bit and more for the country. The man has a life to lead. What is there in this country but, we the stuck lost people ? Cant blame him. Let him have his life. Stop being so hateful guys and gals. Wish him well, let us be happy to see another fellow human being doing well. Cheers mate and Good luck.

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FredSnR Monday, 26 February 2024 01:06 PM

A retired celebrity cricketer from Sri Lanka migrates to Australia and takes up citizenship there. Nothing special about that. But the many thousands of Indians who are coming to Sri Lanka as investors, entrepreneurs, other, could be a flood. Isn't Sri Lanka worried? They should be. Indians know how to control and they know Sri Lanka. We may soon become serfs in our own land if we are not careful and we are NOT when we are so pre-occupied with each other to the detriment of our national interest. In cricketing terms it is like taking the eye off the ball Not even Dilshan with his Scoop will be able to prevent the inevitable.

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RR Monday, 26 February 2024 05:04 PM

DILSHAN IS A VERY COURAGEOUS AND FEARLESS PERSON. HE WILL GO A LONG WAY

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Nava Lanka Monday, 26 February 2024 07:23 PM

Dilshan was an excellent Opener, close in fielder and a useful bowler but SL cricket did not give him the due recognition because he belonged to a minority group. Murali was an exception. Dilshan once promised to come out with his grievances at the appropriate time and I suppose he might come out with the book of grievances once he settles down in Australia. Wish him luck.

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Pertious Wanpalan Tuesday, 27 February 2024 03:03 AM

What he can do in Ayustralia? Open a Drug business as usual by many sports people? What is his education? Better to become an MP in SL and join the Gon Club!!

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